Mountings for picture frames or the like



April 17, 1962 T. M. WRIGHT MOUNTINGS FOR PICTURE FRAMES OR THE LIKE Filed. Feb. 24, 1960 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 April 17, 1962 T. M. WRIGHT MOUNTINGS FOR PICTURE FRAMES OR THE LIKE Filed Feb. 24, 1960 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 INVENTOR. THEODORE- M. WRIEHT United States Patent Oiifice 3330,57 Patented Apr. 17, 1952 This invention relates to mountings for picture frames or the like, and more particularly to mountings for either hanging picture frames, display racks, etc. on wall mounted hooks or the like, or for standing the frames, display racks and other such devices on a table or similar article of furniture.

Picture frames are customarily hung on wall mounted hooks either by means of a flexible cord secured to a pair of eye screws attached to the back of the frame, or by means of a metallic eye or loop which is staked or otherwise secured to the closure panel at the rear of the frame. In the former case, the eye screws cause the frame to be tilted with respect to the wall, whereas it may be desired to have the frame lie fiat against the Wall because of light ing conditions or for other reasons. Moreover, where the frame is tilted relative to the wall, dust accumulates on the back panel, so that the frame must be dismounted and the back panel thereof dusted every now and then if it is to be kept clean. In the latter case, the panels are usually made of cardboard, and the hanger loops or eyes have been known to tear out easily from the panels.

Easel type frames are also known, these being provided with a brace or prop which is usually pivotally mounted on the frame closure panel at the rear of the frame. Such frames are designed for standing on a table or the like; and in such frames, unless care is exercised, it is not uncommon for the pivoted prop to come loose also. Furthermore, props or braces of this type are not suitable for hanging the frame on a wall, nor is the wall hanging type suitable for mounting the frame on a table or other similar support.

The primary object of the present invention is to provide an improved mounting or support for devices such as picture frames, display racks, and the like by means of which such devices can either be hung on a wall or set up to stand on a support such as an article of furniture, a counter, a pedestal, or the like.

More particularly, it is an object of the present invention to provide an improved mounting as aforesaid which, while readily attachable to a panel, such as closure panel at the rear of a picture frame, or the base of a display rack, will not come loose therefrom easily even under conditions of rough handling and use.

Another object of the present invention is to provide an improved'mounting as aforesaid which has such strength and which can be secured to the rear panel of the frame or to the base of a display rack so firmly that it will readily and safely support picture frames and racks of relatively large size and weight.

Still another object of the present invention is to provide an improved mounting as above set forth which readily lends itself to application to a panel concurrently with the manufacture of the mounting member, thereby minimizing the steps necessary to provide a picture frame, for example, that is ready for either hanging on a wall or standing on a support.

A further object of the present invention is to provide an improved picture frame mounting as above set forth which, when used to hang the frame on a wall, can be arranged to cause the frame either to lie substantially flat against the wall, or to be tilted relative to the wall, as may be desired.

Still a further object of the present invention is to provide an improved mounting as above set forth which,

when used to stand a frame or a rack on a suitable support, can be adjusted to maintain the frame or rack at any desired inclination relative to such support, and which will firmly maintain the frame or rack at such inclination.

Yet another object of the present invention is to provide an improved picture frame mounting which affords a substantial degree of adjustment of the frame when it is mounted on a wall so that the picture can be made to hang straight even though the mounting member may not be accurately centered on the rear panel.

It is also an object of the present invention to provide an improved mounting as aforesaid which is simple, yet sturdy in construction, which is inexpensive in cost and economical to produce, which readily lends itself to rapid quantity production, and which is highly efficient in use.

In accordance with the present invention, I apply to a suitable panel one or more mounting members made of relatively stiff wire and similar in some respects to the staple disclosed in my US. Patent No. 2,896,214, granted July 28, 1959, but disposed and used in an entirely different manner. Instead of applying the mounting members along an edge of the panel, as are the staples disclosed in my aforesaid patent, I now apply these mounting members at one or more appropriate points Well spaced from the edges of the panel. Each mounting member has a loop portion which normally lies fiat against the rear surface of the panel. From this loop portion, there extend a pair of generally parallel legs which lie against the rear panel surface and, at a suitable point along their lengths, have a first reverse bend therein. At this first reverse bend, the legs extend through the panel to the front surface thereof. The legs then extend in reverse direction against the front surface of the panel, and in opposed relation to the leg parts against the rear surface of the panel, to a point near their ends Where they have a second reverse bend. At this second bend, the legs extend back through the panel from the front surface thereof to the rear surface again. In this respect, the application of the mounting members of the present invention differs from the application of the staples of my aforesaid patent, since this requires that the wire legs be driven back through the panel a second time. The terminating portions of the legs are then clinched against the panel rear surface, preferably across some suitable portions of the mounting member, to thereby firmly affix the mounting member to the panel.

The loop portion may be made relatively either short or long to suit particular requirements. If used to hang a picture frame on a wall, for example, the loop portion can be made fairly short. To hang the frame, one need merely bend the loop portion away slightly from the panel rear surface, whereupon the loop can be placed on a Wall mounted hook or nail. The frame then will lie fairly flat against the wall. If lighting conditions are such as to produce glare, or of it is desired to tilt the frame to face downwardly, it is merely necessary to bend the loop into the desired angular relation with the panel surface until the desired effect is obtained. Display racks provided with similar mountings according to the present invention and having a supporting flange along the bottom edge thereof can be hung on walls in salons, museums, exhibits, and the like for receiving pictures, photographs, paintings, and other works of art. In any case, the loop portion may also be provided with a minor, terminating loop at its end or hanging terminus according to a modified form of the invention. This minor loop portion serves to insure proper centering of a wall mounted frame or rack.

If the loop portion is made relatively long, it can be bent away from the panel rear surface through an angle of more than degrees. Thereupon, the loop portion becomes a prop to provide an easel type of mounting for supporting the frame, rack, panel, or the like on a table or other suitable support at a desired angle to such support. Since the mounting member is made of relatively stiff wire, the loop will not only remain in the position to which it is bent, but will firmly support picture frames or the like of substantial weight. Here, again, to change the angle of inclination of the picture frame or the rack panel, as the case may be, it is a simple matter to merely bend the prop constituted by the loop portion one way or the other relative to its panel.

The novel features of my present invention, as to its organization, the method of applying it, and the manner of using it, as well as additional objects and advantages thereof, will be better understood from the following description of several embodiments thereof, when read in connection with the accompanying drawings in which FIGURE 1 is a rear perspective view of a picture frame provided with two mounting members according to the present invention, one for mounting the frame vertically, and the other for mounting the frame horizontally,

FIGURE 2 is a fragmentary, sectional view taken along the line 2-2 of FIGURE 1,

FIGURE 3 is a front elevation of the frame of FIG- URE 1 showing the frame hung with its long dimension vertically by means of one of the mounting members on the rear closure panel thereof,

FIGURE 4 is a view similar to FIGURE 3 but show ing the frame hung with its long dimension horizontally by means of the other mounting member on the rear closure panel,

FIGURE 5 is a rear elevation of a display rack provided with a somewhat different form of mounting member in accordance with the present invention,

FIGURE 6 is a side elevation of the rack of FIGURE 5 and showing how the loop of the mounting member may be adjusted to provide an easel type of mounting,

FIGURE 7 is a front elevation of the display rack of FIGURE 5 with the panel cover partly broken away, and

FIGURE 8 is a fragmentary, rear elevation of a panel provided with a modified form of mounting member according to the present invention.

Referring, now, more particularly to FIGURES 1 and 2, there is shown a picture frame 1 having a rear closure panel or chipboard 3 which is held in place by nails or the like 5. Secured to the panel 3 in a manner shortly to be set forth are two mounting members 7. It will be noted that both of the mounting members 7 are spaced from the edges of the panel 3, one being disposed midway between the two side edges of the panel and spaced somewhat from the top edge thereof, and the other one being disposed midway between the top and the bottom edges of the panel 3 and spaced somewhat from the right hand edge thereof as seen in FIGURE 1.

Each mounting member 7 is made of a length of stiff wire, such as piano wire, for example, and is formed with a hairpin or substantially reverse bend 9 midway between its ends to provide a loop portion 11. At the open end of the loop portion 11, the sides of this loop portion are formed with outwardly diverging shoulders 13. Beyond these shoulders, each member 7 has a pair of spaced, generally parallel legs 15. Each leg 15 has a first reverse bend 17 therein to provide a first leg part 19. The loop portion 11, the shoulders 13, and the leg parts 19 are all disposed in a common plane against the rear surface of the panel 3, as best seen in FIGURE 2.

At the bends 17, the legs 15 extend through the panel .3 to the front surface of the panel where each leg has a reversely extending leg part 21. The parts 21 lie in a common plane against the front surface of the panel 3 and preferably, but not necessarily, in opposed relation to the respective first parts 19 of the legs 15. At the end of their respective second parts 21, the legs 15 have a second reverse bend 23 where they again extend through the panel 3, this time from the front surface of the panel back to the rear surface thereof. After passing back through the panel 3, at the bends 23, the legs 15 terminate in clinching terminals 25 which are clinched over their respective shoulders 13 and against the rear surface of the panel. Thus, the wire members 7 are firmly affixed to the panel 3.

The leg parts 19 and 21 are set firmly against the panel. Normally (that is, when the mounting members are first applied to the panel), the loop portion 11 of each mounting member is also disposed against the rear surface of the panel. To enable the picture frame to be mounted on a wall mounted support, such as a picture hook 27, it is merely necessary to bend the loop portion 11 away from the panel 3 slightly. This provides clearance for engaging the loop portion 11 around the hook. The tilt of the picture frame relative to the wall can be varied at will by merely bending the loop 11 away from the panel 3 to the desired extent. If it is desired to have the frame 1 lie substantially flat against the wall, then it is necessary to bend the loop 11 only enough to provide sufiicient clearance to permit the loop to embrace the hook. To mount the frame 1 with its long dimension extending vertically, the mounting member 7 adjacent one of the short edges of the panel is employed, as in FIGURE 3; and to mount the frame with its long dimension extending horizontally, the mounting member adjacent one of the longer edges of the panel is employed, as in FIGURE 4.

In FIGURES 5 to 7, there is shown a display rack having a base 31 with a flange or ledge 33 thereon and a groove 35 in which a panel 37 is disposed. To the panel 37 is afiixed a wire mounting member 39 generally similar to the mounting members 7 of FIGURES I and 2. However, in the mounting member 39, the loop portion 41 is made relatively long and the closed end 43 of the loop 41, instead of being curved, as in FIGURES l and 2, is formed along a straight line. With this modification of mounting member, the rack may be hung on a wall supported hook in a manner similar to that described with reference to the mounting members 7, the flat or straight terminal portion 43 of the loop 41 permitting the rack to be adjusted laterally so as to be properly centered for hanging. Should it be desired to stand the rack on a table or other support 45, then the elongated loop portion 41 can be bent away from the panel through any desired angle to become a prop or brace against which the rack will lean. The greater the angle through which the loop prop is bent, the more nearly vertical will the rack panel stand. Thus, for example, if it is desired to display a picture, a painting, a photograph or the like 47, the loop prop 41 might be bent through about degrees to approximately the solid line position of FIGURE 6. On the other hand, if the rack is to be used to display a case of jewelry, for example, then the loop prop need be bent through only a slight angle (say about 20 or 30 degrees) whereupon the panel 37 will be disposed fairly horizontally. If described, an ornamental covering 49 may be applied over the front surface of the panel 37 to hide the front leg parts of the mounting member 39 from view.

In FIGURE 8 is shown another modification of the invention wherein the loop portion 11 is similar to that of FIGURES l and 2 but is formed to provide a major loop 11a and a minor loop 11b at the closed end or terminus of the major loop. The minor loop 11b serves to insure proper hanging of a picture frame, rack, or the like when the mounting member is properly centered on the panel 3.

From the foregoing description, it will be apparent that I have provided an improved mounting for picture frames, display racks, and the like, the mounting of the present invention permitting either hanging of such devices on a wall or placing them in a leaning position on a suitable support, as in the case of an easel. Although I have shown and described several embodiments of the invention, it will undoubtedly be apparent to those skilled in the art that many other modifications, as well as changes in those described herein, are possible within the spirit of the present invention. I therefore desire that the foregoing shall be taken merely as illustrative and not in a limiting sense.

I claim as my invention:

1. A mounting device for a picture frame or the like having a panel, said device comprising the combination with said panel of a wire member having a substantially reverse bend along its length to provide a loop portion which normally lies substantially against one surface of said panel and provides a loop for mounting said frame or the like .on a support, said member having a pair of spaced legs beyond said loop portion, said legs each having a first part lying in a common plane against said one surface, said legs each also having a first reverse bend therein at the ends of their respective said first parts thereof extending through said panel and a second part beyond said last named bend, said second parts lying in a com mon plane against the opposite surface of said panel, said legs each also having a second bend beyond their respective said second parts extending through said panel from said opposite surface thereof back to said one surface of said panel, and said legs each also having a terminating portion clinched against said one panel surface whereby said member is aifixed to said panel.

2. A mounting device for a picture frame or the like having a panel, said device comprising the combination with said panel of a wire member having a substantially reverse bend along its length to provide a loop portion which normally lies substantially against one surface of said panel and provides a loop for mounting said frame or the like on a support, said loop portion including a pair of diverging shoulders at the end of said loop, said member having a pair of spaced, generally parallel legs extending beyond said shoulders, said legs each having a first part lying in a common plane with said loop portion against said one surface, said legs each also having a first reverse bend therein at the ends of their respective said first parts thereof extending through said panel and a second part beyond said last named bend, said second parts lying in a common plane against the opposite surface of said panel, said legs each also having a second bend beyond their respective said second parts extending through said panel from said opposite surface thereof back to said one surface of said panel, and said legs each also having a terminating portion clinched over their respective said shoulders and against said one panel sur face whereby said member is affixed to said panel.

3. A mounting device as set forth in claim 2 characterized in that said second leg parts are disposed in opposed relation to their respective said first leg parts.

4. A mounting device for a picture frame or the like having a panel, said device comprising the combination with said panel of a length of stiff wire having a substantially reverse bend therein intermediate its ends to provide a loop portion which normally lies substantially against the rear surface of said panel and provides a loop for mounting said frame or the like on a support, said loop portion including a pair ofdiverging shoulders at the end of said loop, said length of wire having a pair of spaced, generally parallel legs extending beyond said shoulders, said legs each having a first part lying in a common plane with said loop portion against said rear panel surface, said legs each also having a first reverse bend therein at the ends of their respective said first parts thereof extending through said panel and a second part beyond said last named bend, said second parts lying in a common plane against the front surface of said panel, said legs each also having a second bend beyond their respective said second parts extending through said panel from said front panel surface back to said rear panel surface, and said legs each also having a terminating portion clinched over their respective said shoulders and against said rear panel surface whereby said length of wire is affixed to said panel.

5. A mounting device according to claim 4 characterized in that said loop portion comprises a major loop and a minor loop, said minor loop being at the terminus of said major loop.

6. An article of manufacture comprising a panel member for use with a device to be supported and a mounting member on said panel member providing means for mounting said panel member on a support, said mounting member comprising a length of wire having a substantial- 1y reverse bend therein intermediate its ends to provide a loop portion which normally lies substantially against one surface of said panel member and provides a loop for mounting said panel member on a support, said loop portion including a pair of diverging shoulders at the end of said loop, said length of wire having a pair of spaced, generally parallel legs extending beyond said shoulders, said legs each having a first part lying in a common plane with said loop portion against said one surface, said legs each also having a first reverse bend therein at the ends of their respective said first parts thereof extending through said panel member and a second part beyond said last named bend, said second parts lying in a common plane against the opposite surface of said panel member, said legs each also having a second bend beyond their respective said second parts extending through said panel member from said opposite surface thereof back to said one surface of said panel member, and said legs each also having a terminal portion clinched over their respective said shoulders and against said one panel member surface whereby said length of wire is afiixed to said panel member.

7. An article of manufacture according to claim 6 wherein said loop portion is disposed entirely within the confines of the periphery of said panel member.

8. An article of manufacture according to claim 6 wherein said loop portion is disposed entirely within the confines of the periphery of said panel member, and wherein said loop extends from said shoulder toward an edge of said panel, said loop terminating at a point spaced from said edge.

9. A hanger assembly for use in supporting framed pictures and the like comprising, in combination, a chip board, a substantially U-shaped wire hanger having a central crown portion and a pair of substantially parallel leg portions, a first reversely bent section in each of said leg portions, each of said first reversely bent portions projected inwardly through said chipboard, and a second reversely bent section in each of said leg portions, each of said second reversely bent sections projected outwardly through said chipboard in proximity to said substantially parallel leg portions and approximately at the midpoint thereof, each of said second reversely bent sections overlying its respective leg portion so that said hanger is securely anchored to said chipboard and is contained entirely within the area defined by said chipboard.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 906,127 Graninger Dec. 8, 1908 966,093 Hilgert Aug. 2, 1910 1,635,900 Obiols July 12, 1927 1,881,371 Gilbert Oct. 4, 1932 2,521,411 Rosenberg Sept. 5, 1950 

